Chris Blount
03-30-04, 06:46 AM
The Federal Communications Commission recently granted a petition from the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association concerning the installation of satellite dishes that receive two-way broadband transmissions.
SBCA filed the petition in 2001, asking the FCC to clarify that professional installation requirements for two-way installs should meet the same criteria as other safety-related restrictions. Also, the FCC ruled its safety standards should preempt any non-federal third party from imposing different standards.
The order came under the OTARD (Over-the-Air Reception Devices) rule at the FCC.
Also, the FCC denied a petition for reconsideration from the Real Access Alliance that had challenged the commission's authority to extend OTARD protections applying to antennas on leased property.
While satellite interests praised the ruling, FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin expressed concern with the decision, saying he has reservations with extending OTARD rules to cover devices used to receive services other than video programming. "The statutory basis for our OTARD rules applies explicitly to restrictions that impair a viewer's ability to receive video programming services through devices designed for over-the-air reception of television broadcast signals," he said.
"I appreciate the policy behind extending our rules to telecommunications services. I am concerned with relying solely on our ancillary authority to do so," Martin added.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)
SBCA filed the petition in 2001, asking the FCC to clarify that professional installation requirements for two-way installs should meet the same criteria as other safety-related restrictions. Also, the FCC ruled its safety standards should preempt any non-federal third party from imposing different standards.
The order came under the OTARD (Over-the-Air Reception Devices) rule at the FCC.
Also, the FCC denied a petition for reconsideration from the Real Access Alliance that had challenged the commission's authority to extend OTARD protections applying to antennas on leased property.
While satellite interests praised the ruling, FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin expressed concern with the decision, saying he has reservations with extending OTARD rules to cover devices used to receive services other than video programming. "The statutory basis for our OTARD rules applies explicitly to restrictions that impair a viewer's ability to receive video programming services through devices designed for over-the-air reception of television broadcast signals," he said.
"I appreciate the policy behind extending our rules to telecommunications services. I am concerned with relying solely on our ancillary authority to do so," Martin added.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)